Pup Obi Travels

Today’s walk with the walking group was at Whitworth in the Rossendale Valley. Having worked in the valley for a good few years in the walks for health project, I had explored varying footpaths and routes and created this walk from two walks in the area, bulked out to make a lengthier walk for the group.

The first leg of the walk tools us over Waingap, an area of moorland above Whitworth town itself which is part of Whitworth moorland. I included this stretch giving nice views over the valley and circled to Waingap which was a newly planted woodland by Groundwork. The trees were still young, years to come be interesting to return and see how they have grown.  The route then took us to St Bartholomew’s Church.

The church itself dates back to around 1850, but after a fire in the 1980s, the building size was reduced. The tower still remains, but the width of the building has reduced and length. The gravesite is snuggled around the church above Whitworth and gargoyle waterspouts are visible on the roof if you look carefully enough.

Cowm Reservoir, built in 1868, like so many reservoirs of course was built in a valley changing the landscape forever. Varying farms steads stood around the valley and over time these declined and eventually fell into ruin. The quarrying which had been the bulk work in the area also began to wain in time.

The walk circled the reservoir to the top end of the reservoir before following the course of Cow Clough Lane. The remains of the farm steads and walls for outbuildings can be found along the lane as we now headed south.

Rossendale, holds a lot of history that has long since gone. Like the Calderdale Valley, mills, cottages, farms, some which remain and converted to housing or flats but echo the long forgotten history these places once had during the industrial and Victorian eras of our past.

Leaving Cowm Reservoir we returned to the valley floor and followed the course of the former rail-line which ran from Rochdale up through this part of the valley, through Whitworth and into Bacup. The line, axed under Beechings, saw the Rossendale Valley loose virtually all of its railway lines. In the picture above you can see the remains of Broadley Station which lay south of Whitworth.  The route makes for a lovely walk through Whitworth, but again a piece of history long since gone.

Healey Dell, is a fascinating spot below Broadley Station. The Viaduct which carried the rail-line from Rochdale to Bacup crosses through the Dell adding to the atmospheric feel of this spot.  Cascading waterfalls, small and special work there way through the area and make homes for a while host of wildlife.

Check out the rest of the photos at the link at the top. Whitworth, is a lovely spot in Rossendale and fond memories of walking here remain.